Updated 18-Sep: Welcome to the Schriefer Blog, my name is Tavis Schriefer. Recently, my wife Jill and I raised money to supply driFIRE shirts to every soldier in Apache Company of the 1-501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. We were successful in raising over $6500 and we would like to thank everyone for all their support to make this happen. Please read our entire message here...

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers and families of the 1-501st. Please take a moment of silence for Cpl. Ryan Collins.The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Cpl. Ryan D. Collins, 20, of Vernon, Texas, died May 19, in Hamiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire May 18. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.Collins was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10909

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Maybe I'm working on the wrong inventions. This Chopper Shield could have promise. -Tavis

INVENTION AWARDS - A Chopper ShieldFiring massive Kevlar and steel nets at inbound rocket-propelled grenades could save helicopters in combat New Jersey inventor Richard Glasson thinks he can stop [RPG] attacks. He’s designed the first-ever anti-RPG system for aircraft: a volley of nets that catch the grenades before they hit. Glasson was inspired by Mark Bowden’s best seller Black Hawk Down, which recounts the 1993 killing of 18 U.S. soldiers in Somalia after an RPG brought down their chopper. “I couldn’t believe that such a low-tech weapon could take down a several-million-dollar aircraft,” he says. “That’s a spectacular outcome for a 40-year-old technology.”Full Article

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

I read this compilation today and felt it might be of interest. Keep in mind that all of this occurred just a few miles from where Nick was. I have heard that Nick is OK and that the 501st was not involved with the incident itself. I don't know if they are part of the 4,000 troop search team, but would assume so.

The recent attack on a US patrol west of Mahmudiyah, in which four US soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter was killed and three more soldiers were apparently captured by Iraqi Al Qaeda, is garnering quite a bit of press these days. The attack took place in a region called the Triangle of Death south of Baghdad.What do we know for sure...Read Robert Lindsay's blog

Saturday, May 12, 2007

I received an email from the Family Rediness Group. They have 1-501st Geronimo T-shirts for sale. The shirts have the logos of all six (6) Companies on the front and the battalion symbol on the back. If you are interested in ordering any of these shirts, let me know quickly. Deadline for all orders is June 15, 2007. Let me know type, size, color and qty.

(No colored trim around collar or sleeves like the sample)

Long sleeve $22 - black, grey or white

Short sleeve $15 - black, grey, or white

Youth short sleeve $12 - black, grey, or white

Size: S M L XL / KS KM KL

Please add $4 to ship to each address or no charge if picked up in Anchorage area.

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers and families of the 1-501st. Please take a moment of silence for Spc. Matthew T. Bolar, 1st Lt. Colby Umbrell and two additional soldiers were seriously injured.The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Matthew T. Bolar, 24, of Montgomery, Ala., died May 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations. Bolar was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10828

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 1st Lt. Colby J. Umbrell, 26, of Doylestown, Pa., died May 3 in Musayyib, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10828

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Please take a moment of silence for Sgt Hullender. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers and families of the 1-501st.

The Department of Defense announced Monday the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Sergeant Michael R. Hullender, 29-years-old, of Little Falls, N.J., died April 28, in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat patrol operations.Hullender was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.